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Top 10 college football quarterbacks going into 2017 spring practice

By John Buhler

October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) warms up prior to a 2016 CFP semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) warms up prior to a 2016 CFP semifinal against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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J.T. Barrett

Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State football is humming under head coach Urban Meyer. The Buckeyes should be a favorite to come out of the Big Ten and play in the College Football Playoff. He may not have an NFL future at the position, but J.T. Barrett has one more year to make it all happen at quarterback for the Buckeyes.

Barrett is very much a dual-threat quarterback, commonplace in Meyer’s offenses at Utah, Florida and now Ohio State. Many signal callers before Barrett have had great success in Meyer’s system, but he could be the second quarterback of his to win a Heisman Trophy after Tim Tebow did at Florida.

In three years with the Buckeyes, Barrett has completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 6,381 yards, 69 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. As a runner, Barrett has carried the rock 491 times for the Buckeyes for 2,465 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Given how strong the Big Ten looks to be at the top of its conference, a College Football Playoff run should have Barrett in contention for the Heisman. He’s never been invited to New York, but did finish fifth in the voting in his freshman season in 2014.

With Barrett, the Buckeyes have the multi-faceted weapon at quarterback they will need to play for and win another national title. While his NFL future isn’t certain, Barrett has one more year to build his legacy in Columbus. If he leaves it all on the table in 2017, Ohio State may have its best team of the Meyer era.

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